Qatar 'forcibly examined' women, drawing angry diplomatic responseThe invasive searches held up departure of one Qatar Airways flight to Australia for four hoursDOHA - Female passengers flying from Qatar were subjected to invasive searches after a premature baby was found abandoned in an airport bathroom, in an incident labelled "offensive" and "grossly inappropriate" by Australia's government. Airport officials have not denied the incident, saying women passengers "were asked to assist" with inquiries to locate the mother of the baby, who they say is still alive. - ' Unacceptable treatment' -An Australian government spokeswoman said the country was "deeply concerned at the unacceptable treatment" of the female passengers. The incident, first reported by Australia's Seven Network broadcaster, happened on October 2 and came to light after a number of affected Australian passengers spoke out. Qatar practices a strict form of Islamic law, with stiff penalties applied to women who fall pregnant or bear children outside marriage.

Source: Bangkok Post October 25, 2020 22:41 UTC